الحقوق

22.6.11

Strikers in dilemma

DT:Negotiations are on with authorities to address workers’ issues, a company official said yesterday. A little more than 300 workers of a construction company — Bangladeshis, Indians, Nepalis and Pakistanis — have been on strike for the past few days. The reason: they want their wages to be hiked.In an interview with DT, the official requesting anonymity said they met the workers, Labour Ministry officials and the respective embassies to discuss the strike and resolve it.

“We have been treating the workers well and they are taken care of properly too. We would like to solve this issue in an amicable matter,” he said.

In the morning, the workers met officials from the Labour Ministry to present their case to them. The ministry said it would look into their demands and ensure they were treated fairly.

“But we also asked that they resume work as the strike was illegal according to the Union Law, Article 21,” Labour Inspector at the Union Affairs of the ministry Arif Mohammed Abdulla, told DT.

“I explained to them that they need to give a company two weeks written notice about their intention to go on strike. We also asked those whose employment contracts were terminated by the company to give us a complaint in writing. A few of them have done that,” he added.

Mr Abdulla said he assured the workers that he would ensure they got justice in case of any wrongdoing. He added they would have to be in the right and not break the law to achieve that. Going on an unannounced strike was not legal, and as such did not give him room to negotiate in their favour, he said.

The workers were split into two groups after the meeting — one with those who wanted to continue the strike and the other group comprised workers willing to resume work.

“The people who have worked here for many years have said they are thinking of going to work. Others are still considering their actions. Among those who have been served termination notices, half said they would support those who want to continue the strike,” a worker told DT.

The workers decided later to adhere to what Mr Arif said and resume work today. But they are still concerned about those who were given termination notices.“These men had the same demands as us. Why should they be singled out and punished,” a worker said.

He added the men would approach the Labour Ministry today to submit their case.